Horner Applauds Verstappen’s Clean Performance at Canadian GP 2025

In the aftermath of the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing's Team Principal, Christian Horner, expressed his satisfaction with Max Verstappen's performance, highlighting the Dutch driver's ability to navigate potential challenges from his competitors without incident. Verstappen, who started the race from the second position, managed to secure a second-place finish, closely trailing George Russell of Mercedes, who ultimately claimed victory.

The race, held at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, marked a significant moment in the ongoing championship battle. Horner praised Verstappen’s ‘squeaky clean’ driving throughout the weekend, particularly noting how he avoided the ‘potential gamesmanship’ that had been anticipated in the lead-up to the event. This sentiment was echoed by Verstappen, who remains on 11 penalty points, just one away from a potential race ban. However, he will see two of those points expire after the next race in Austria, providing him with some relief moving forward.

Horner remarked, “I think it’s inevitable that there was going to be some potential gamesmanship,” referencing the competitive environment that often characterizes such high-stakes races. He continued, “Max, I thought he’s been squeaky clean all weekend. He drove a very good race today.” This remark underscores the importance of maintaining discipline and fair play in competitive motorsport, especially when the stakes are as high as in Formula 1.

The race dynamics included an aggressive strategy from Verstappen, who attempted to undercut Russell by pitting early. However, this tactic did not yield the desired result, as Russell maintained his lead. Despite this, Verstappen’s performance was commendable, allowing him to fend off challenges from other contenders, including Kimi Antonelli, who also had a strong showing.

Horner elaborated on the race strategy, stating, “We started to open up and grain the front left. But then the last stint was very strong and was actually better than Kimi’s behind, and was pretty much a match to George ahead on five or six-lap [younger] tyres.” This analysis illustrates the strategic complexities faced by teams during races and the need for real-time adjustments based on tire performance and competitor behavior.

In a notable incident during the race, Red Bull Racing lodged a protest regarding Russell's conduct behind the Safety Car, asserting that the regulations were clear and should have been adhered to. Horner clarified that the protest was a team decision rather than an individual one from Verstappen, emphasizing that it was not personal against Russell, but rather a matter of ensuring compliance with the rules.

“The way the regulations are, the regulations are pretty binary, pretty clear,” he stated, alluding to previous instances where similar situations had resulted in penalties. This highlights the ongoing scrutiny that drivers face regarding their adherence to racing regulations.

After the race, Verstappen’s second-place finish allowed him to close the gap in the championship standings, now sitting at 155 points, just 21 behind Lando Norris and 43 behind Oscar Piastri. As the season progresses, the implications of these results are significant, potentially influencing team strategies and driver performances in subsequent races.

Looking ahead, the team’s focus will shift to the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix, where Verstappen's ability to maintain his composure and continue his clean driving will be crucial not only for his own standings but also for Red Bull Racing’s championship aspirations. The evolving narrative of the 2025 season continues to captivate fans and analysts alike, setting the stage for an exciting race ahead as teams strategize for optimal performance under pressure.